Homeless man faces trespassing charge at downtown church | Crime

Madison police arrested a 37-year-old homeless man early Sunday morning after finding him on a downtown church property where he has been banned after repeatedly panhandling around parishioners.

Matthew A. Nickel was found at Holy Redeemer Church on West Johnson Street on Sunday, but police said several area churches have filed similar complaints against him.

Officials at one west side church told police that they offered Nickel food last year, but he told them he only wanted cash. They said Nickel claimed to need the money for a medical situation, and he became aggressive when he was denied the money.

Nickel faces a charge of unlawful trespassing, police said.